How can you develop accessible programs that encourage young learners to explore new foods? How can you bring science into participants’ kitchens where they can use their five senses and eat their results? Educators from the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Discovery Center at Murfree Spring (Murfreesboro, Tennessee), Marbles Kids Museum (Raleigh, North Carolina), and GrowingGreat (Los Angeles, California) share their insights on developing impactful STEM programming with nutritional components and tasty results.
Webinar participants will receive GrowingGreat’s series of 20 Hands-on Science Activities and Videos, in Spanish and English.
All presenters are members of the GrowingGreat Veggies & Fruits national STEM education program, sponsored by Del Monte Foods, Inc.
Webinar recording
Resources
About the presenters
Mariah Romaninsky, Manager of Early Childhood Education, Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University. Mariah has been in the education field for almost 20 years and is a former middle school math and science teacher. She works in the West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhood and throughout the city, delivering high-quality STEM education to teachers, students ages three through eight, and their families. Mariah has been working with GrowingGreat for the past 3 years through a program called The Promise Garden, which works with a local community garden to develop and deliver gardening education programs to local families and daycare centers. Mariah also co-created an interdisciplinary curriculum for preschools and delivers professional development workshops and conference presentations on inquiry-based STEM instruction locally and throughout the country.
Madden Purcell, Public Programs Coordinator, Discovery Center at Murfree Spring. Madden received his B.S. in History and Spanish from Tennessee Technological University in 2016, and enjoys implementing all aspects of art, science, and history into his programs.
Robin Mangum, Learning Coordinator, Marbles Kids Museum. Robin has more than 14 years of museum education experience and is a former preschool teacher. She has a B.S. in Child Development and a B.A. in Art Education from Meredith College. Giving children playful learning experiences to engage their curiosity and creativity are Robin’s favorite parts of her job. She says her greatest “work” experience is being a mom to three boys aged 9, 13, and 16 and aunt to two girls, ages 4 and 6. Robin and her family love road trips and adventures.
Jill Coons, Director of Education, GrowingGreat (moderator). Jill Coons has worked with GrowingGreat since 2012 and has a background in sustainable gardens, youth nutrition, and volunteer and business coordination. Jill develops and implements GrowingGreat’s programming to meet student, family and teacher needs during distance learning through GrowingGreat-led Zoom classes, webinars and Virtual Garden Clubs. Jill oversees the development of the GrowingGreat PenPal and Reading Clubs which provide weekly STEM activities, and culturally-relevant stories for children and their families to explore from home.
Grace Sanchez, Nutrition & Garden Education Specialist, GrowingGreat. Prior to joining GrowingGreat in 2019, Grace Sanchez spent 14 years as an Educator in San Diego providing Early Intervention services for children with developmental delays. She has an extensive background working with parents and caregivers to develop strategies that focus on a family’s daily routines and activities and promote their child’s growth and development. She has worked with children of various age groups, families of diverse demographics alongside multifaceted teams of therapists and various partner organizations to provide tailored early intervention services that ensure children have a solid foundation for the future. Grace oversees Spanish-language programming for GrowingGreat and is the GrowingGreat librarian, collecting and sharing children’s fiction books about cooking and gardening that feature Communities of Color and making recommendations for our Virtual Reading Club. She leads the Virtual Garden Club in partnership with the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club.
Date:
March 31, 2021
1:00 pm — 2:30 pm ET
Price: Free